EMPIRE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19182, 27 May 1924, Page 7

EMPIRE DAY

OBSERVANCE (N LONDON. VALUE OF EXHIBITION EMPHASISED. Pi*«s Aaaociation—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, May 25. Mr J. H. Thomas (Colonial secretary), in an article in The Times's Empire Day Inhibition supplement, refutes the assumption which he says is prevalent in some circles that Labour is hostile to the Empire and the Imperial idea. Labour, he says, has frequently criticised certain aspects and forms of Imperialism, but it has always had a keen eye for the conduct of Imperial affairs and the administration of the Empire, not because it is opposed to the Empire, but for exactly contrary reasons, prompted wholly and solely by a desire that the Empire should be worthy of the idea "which' it embodies and the Motherland which gave it birth. Mr Thomas admits that many of the workers in Britain are not always alive to the scope and diversity of the resources | and possibilities of the Empire but that is only due to the fact that they have had no opportunity of acquiring Empire knowledge. He says that nothing has been conceived, far less carried out, so calculated to provide them with that knowledge as the Exhibition, which vividly brings to their eyes the Empire's vastness and illimitable resources. They will learn many things—how, for instance, Australia's untold riches are only just and how New Zealand is waiting to welcome immigrants of British' blood. The Exhibition brings a new vision and hope to those who are tempted to despair when they realise that the solution oi Britain's industrial problem is a slow process, depending on the gradual restoration of Europe and the consequent revival of markets, which' formerly absorbed such a vast proportion of British manufactures. The Exhibition pavilions are more than show windows—they are an excellent appeal and encouragement to Empire trade, and a most attractive argument for the growth and extension of Empire settlement—The Times. SERVICE AT WEMBLEY. AN IMPRESSIVE GATHERING. LONDON, May 25. The thanksgiving service at Wembley on Sunday was marred by unsettled weather. There was a cold and boisterous wind, accompanied by showers, with occasional thunder. The sun shone brightly when the King and Queen actually arrived at the stadium, but the rain descended later. Nevertheless the attendance is estimated to have been nearly 100,000. Messrs J. R. Clynes, A Henderson, J. H. Thomas, N. Buxton, and F. W. Jowett represented the Cabinet. The bands comprised 1000 instruments, and a choir of 2000 voices sang at the opening ceremony, reinforced by a Boy Scouts choir. The whole gathering was most impressive. A lay procession, symbolical of the builders of the Empire, carrying the flags of the Colonies entered the stadium first, followed by the ecclesiastical procession, which included the Archbishops and Bishops and representatives of religious bodies. The Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr, Davidson) delivered an address. A collection was taken up in aid of the British Empire Cancer campaign.—Sydney Sun and Reuter Cables. LARGEST SERVICE IN HISTORY. RESPONSIBILITIES OF EMPIRE. LONDON, May 25. (Received May 26, at 7.20 p.m.) Sunday's Empire thanksgiving service was the largest organised religious service ever held m the history of humanity. Apart from the vast choir, a band of over 1000 was actually present in the stadium, while at least 2,000,000 persons all over the country "listened-in" to the service. The Archbishop's address was "wirelessed throughout Britain, being transmitted to hundreds of Sunday schools and many open-air gatherings. Luckily the weather had cleared, and was sunny and fine. Within the stadium the proceedings were most impressive. The vast crowd joined in the singing of the Old Hundredth and the National Anthem. The climax of the service was reached when the massed choir sang the anthem "Let Us Now Praise Famous Men.'' The service closed with an interval of two minutes tense silence while a special thanksgiving was offered for Imperial blessings, and a prayer that the nations of the Empire might be worthy of their ' Imperial burden. The Archbishop's text was the words, "Thy Kingdom Come." "The Empire," ho said, "is a distinctive thing in the world's story. Many nationalities are grouped within its orbit. In no vaunting spirit wo meet to-day to say that we believe in God, Who made us fit for the responsibilities of Empire." Dr Davidson closed with the words: "Verily Empire-building is a solemn trust on behalf bf the generations yet unborn." A and N.Z. Cable. KEYSTONE OF THE EMPIRE. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CROWN. SYDNEY, May 25. Speaking at the Royal Colonial Institute's annual dinner m honour of Empire Day, the Governor-General (Lord Forster), referring to the Crown as the keystone of the Empire, said that this was because the Crown was not elective. That it remained one great visible link in the chain uniting the Empire was something to be proud of when we reflected that after all the convulsions following the Great War the one Crown that was stronger than ever was our Crown, i "It stands dearer than ever to the British race,'' said Lord Forster, '•because it knows its limitations. People opposed to the British Empire are insidiously trying to undermine the Crown, but if you are tnio to the Empire ycu will see that the position of the Crown stands secure." Mr Bruce suggested the need of retaining the Imperial connection, so that they could rely on the assistance of the Empire. To secure that they must be prepared to take a share of 'the cost of the protection of the Empire.